Steering unit for marine craft

ABSTRACT

A marine unit mounted either forward or aft of a barge for steering or for steering and propelling same, including a spherical hull section being rotatable about the central vertical axis of a stationary deck section. After being rotated a predetermined amount, the marine unit is capable of shifting the barge in a lateral direction for purposes of steering it along a desired path. Shifting of the barge is effected by a pair of propulsion devices spaced on opposite sides of the central vertical axis.

Umted States Patent 1191 1111 3,850,132

Jackson [4 Nov. 26, 1974 [5 STEERING UNIT FOR MARINE CRAFT 3,391,6697/1968 Buster 9/1 A [76] Inventor: William M. Jackson, 1701 LobdellFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 180992138110 Rouge, 70306 1,215,5484/1966 Germany 114 235 R [22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1974 l PrimaryExaminerTrygve M. B ix [21] Appl' 9353 Assistant Examiner.lesus D.Sotelo Related US. Application Dat Attorney, Agent, or FirmWatsn, Cole,Grindle & [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 247,718, April 26, 1972, Watsonabandoned.

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 115/12 R, 9/1 A, 114/151, A marine unitmounted either forward or aft of a 1 I t C! 114/235 R barge for steeringor for steering and propelling same, [58] .ld B63) 21/00 including aspherical hull Section i g rotatable 1 0 114/150 235 about the centralvertical axis of a stationary deck sec- 9/1 /16 12 R tion. After beingrotated a predetermined amount, the 56 R f marine unit is capable ofshifting the barge in a lateral 1 e erences cued direction for purposesof steering it along a desired UNITED STATES PATENTS path. Shifting ofthe barge is effected by a pair of pro- 2,268,155 12/1941 Lynch 115/39pulsion devices spaced on opposite sides of the central 2,543,253 2/1951Napoli 115/16 vertical axis. 2,984,202 5/1961 114/235 R 3,335,436 8/1967Sharp 9/1 A 8 Qlaims, 8 Drawing Figures STEERING UNIT FOR MARINE CRAFTThis is a continuation, application Ser. No. 247,718 filed Apr. 26,1972, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to a steering unit for barges and thelike, and more particularly, to such a unit capable of steering thebarge by causing its forward and aft end to be moved laterally to anydesired extent so that it may be easily maneuvered along its path oftravel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order for barges of any appreciablelength to be properly moved along waterways toward their destination, ahighly trained and skilled operator must exercise great care inmaneuvering the barge, especially within confined and narrow waterways,so as not to run aground or so as to avoid collision with other marinecraft. High winds, which are oftentimes constantly shifting, andinclement weather conditions increase the peril for the operator as thebarge is so moved either under its own power or with the use of a towboat or the like. Steering devices have therefore been devised in thepast for more effectively controlling the barge as it continues alongits circuitous route. However, such conventional steering devices aremost often incapable of causing the barge to be shifted abruptly withinshort distances in a transverse direction of its path of movement whenit becomes necessary to quickly avoid the danger of collision or runningaground.

SUMMARY- OF THE INVENTION A steering unit for barges has therefore beendevised which is capable of quickly and efficiently shifting the path ofmovement of a barge with the use of a marine unit mounted either forwardor aft of the barge thereby avoiding the need for complex and expensiveequipment. Such a unit basically comprises a hull section connected to astationary deck androtatable about a central vertical axis with respectto such deck. The hull section is in the shape of a spherical sectionand is provided with propulsion devices located on opposite sides of thevertical axis so that, when actuated together, the barge is propelledforwardly and, when actuated oneat-a-time, the fore or aft section ofthe barge is abruptly shifted in a transverse direction to the path ofmovement thereof.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide amarine unit for the steering of barges, as outlined above, in a quick,economical and highly effective manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a unit wherein thepropulsion devices may comprise tubular fluid pumps and wherein the unitis mounted either fore or aft of the barge by means of verticallydisposed elongated connectors to thereby accommodate various draftelevations of the barge.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a marineunit wherein the hull and deck sections thereof are interconnected bymeans of a peripheral flange on the hull section and a plurality ofrotable spool members mounted on the deck section for cooperationtherewith.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a unitwherein brake means are provided on the deck section for cooperationwith such flange so that the entire section may be adequately brakedafter a predetermined degree of rotation thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such a unitwherein a peripheral gear may be provided on the hull section withpowered rotatable gears mounted on the deck section in cooperation withthe gear ring for rotational movement of the hull section in lieu of orin addition to movement thereof by actuation of one or the propulsiondevices.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such aunit wherein a stairwell is mounted on the deck section and extendstoward the hull section to rest on the bottom wall thereof for gainingaccess to the interior of the hull section.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing the steering unit of the presentinvention mounted at the aft end of a barge only partly shown;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the steering unit of FIG. I mounted at theforward end of a barge unit partly shown;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 2 embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 5 showingvarious details of the steering unit shown slightly enlarged as comparedto FIGS. 1-3; FIG. 5 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of thesteering unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view, slightly enlarged, taken along the line 6-6of FIG. 5 showing the interconnection between the hull section and thedeck section;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, slightly enlarged, taken along the line 7-7of FIG. 5 showing the means for braking the rotatable hull section; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an alternative means of rotating thehull section with the use of a power actuated gear wheel in cooperationwith a gear rmg.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer tolike and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the steeringunit generally designated 10 is shown for a barge 11 and is mounted aftof the barge as shown in FIG. 1, or forward of the barge, as shown inFIG. 2. The steering unit comprises a hull section 12 interconnectedwith a stationary deck section 13 in such a manner as to be rotableabout a central vertical axis thereof. The hull section 12 comprises aspherical hull plate 16 having a flat bottom plate 15. If desired, hullplate 16 may alternatively be in the shape of a conical section. Hullsection 12 is reinforced interiorly by means of a plurality of framingplates 17 each extending radially and spaced along the inner peripheryof hull plate l6,-as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

Stationary deck section 13 comprises substantially a base plate 18having railings 19 (see FIG. 6) along its periphery and verticallydisposed channel connectors 21 mounted forward and aft of the hullsection by means of bracing members 22. as shown in FIGS. 4 and The hullsection 12 is interconnected with the deck section by means of a ringmember 23 secured to the upper edge of hull plate 16 along the peripherythereof.

A plurality of spool members 24 are rotatably mounted to the under sideof base plate 18 for cooperation with the ring 23 disposed within thegrooves of members 24 are shown in FIG. 6. A resilient seal member 25may be secured along the outer periphery of ring 23 for sealing thespace between the hull and deck sections as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As can be seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, a propulsion device 26 isoperatively mounted within the hull section 12 and comprisessubstantially a cylindrical tube 27 open at opposite ends of theexterior of the hull section. Each propulsion device 26 is substantiallythe same as the steering unit for barges disclosed in my prior US. Pat.No. 3,590,776, issued July 6, 1971. Briefly, a tube 27 thereof containsa pair of propeller blades 28 mounted on a rotable shaft 29 which isrotated by means of a power unit 31 through a suitable gearing 32. Uponactuation of each propulsion device, rotation of the blades 28 causeswater to flow through the tube 27 in an opposite direction from thedesired direction of bow movement. In this case, water is pumped throughthe tube 27 in the aft direction of the steering unit, i.e., from rightto left when viewing it in FIGS. 4 and 5.

A braking device 33 comprising a cylinder 34, a piston rod 35 and abrake shoe 36 mounted thereon, is mounted at any number ofpredeterminedlocations to the under side of base plate 18 of the decksection (see FIGS. and 7). When the braking devices are actuated, thebrake shoes thereof are made to operatively engage with the innerperipheral end of ring 23 for the purpose of effectively brakingrotational movement of the hull section to be hereinafter described.

In FIG. 4 it can be seen that a stairwell unit 37 is provided along thecentral vertical axis (not depicted) of the deck section, is mounted tothe base plate 18 thereof and extends toward bottom plate of the hullsection to rest thereon. A spiral staircase not shown may be providedwithin the stairwell so as to gain access to the interior of the hullsection through doors 38 and 39. Also, bearings 41 are provided betweenthe lower plate 15 and the bottom'of the stairwell to facilitate asmoothmovement there between during rotation of the hull section withrespect to the deck section.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the steering unit 10 isadditionally interconnected with the forward end of barge 11 by means ofa winch 42 and a cable 43 extending about guides 45 on both the bargeand steering unit with the free end of the cable being secured about acapstan 44. Winches 42 may be of any conventional design of such a typeas to automatically pay out and wind up cables 43 thereon, depending onthe draft elevation of the barge 11. For example, when the barge isheavily loaded, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3, its forward end will ofcourse move downwardly with respect to steering unit 10 along thevertical channel conv nectors 21 thereof. Winches 42 will therefore bemade to pay out an additional amount of cable 43 therefrom so as toaccommodate the lower draft elevation of the barge.

In operation, actuation of both the propulsion devices 26 simultaneouslywill serve to propel the barge l1 forwardly in both embodiments in thedirection of the arrows shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Units 10 may there forebe utilized as an auxiliary means for propelling the barge in such amanner, especially in the FIG. 1 embodiment. However, where it becomesnecessary to shift either end of the barge abruptly in a transverse orangular direction of movement from the forward direction of the barge,one or the other of the propulsion devices 26 is actuated to therebyrotate the hull section 12 of the steering unit either clockwise orcounter clockwise depending on which of the propulsion de vices 26 is soactuated. Of course, hull section 12 will be rotated in a clockwisedirection (looking downwardly) upon actuation of the propulsion devicelying to the left of stairwell 37 when facing the direction of movementof the barge in FIG. 1, and the hull section 12 will be moved in acounter clockwise direction upon actuation of the other propulsiondevice shown in the Figure.

The extend of rotation of the hull section 12 in either of suchdirections is controlled by means of the braking devices 33 which, whenactuated, simply apply a braking action against the inner peripheraledge of ring 23 to stop the rotational movement of the hull section whendesired. Thereafter, continued actuation of one or both of thepropulsion devices 26 will quickly, and within a short turning distance,steer the barge 11 by shifting its ends angularly with respect to itsdirection of travel. For example, after the hull unit has been rotatedin a counter-clockwise direction and braked in such position, continuedactuation of the propulsion devices thereof will shift the aft end ofthe barge in FIG. 1 transversely leftward if the hull section had beenrotated or will shift the aft end of the barge angularly to the leftafter the hull section has been rotated between 0 and 90 in a counterclockwise direction.

Therefore, the forward end of the barge may be steered for movement tothe right or left depending on the rotation of hull section 16.

When unit 10 is mounted forward of barge 11, as in FIG. 2, actuation ofone or the other of the propulsion devices 26 will cause rotation in thesame manner as described with reference to the FIG. 1 embodiment.Therefore, when hull section 16 is rotated for example in a clockwisedirection (looking downwardly in FIG. 2), actuation of both propulsiondevices 26 will cause the forward end of the barge to be steered to theright depending on the degree of rotation of the hull section.However,actuation of one or the other of the propulsion devices 26 willvary the degree of steering movement. Instead of utilizing thepropulsion devices for initially rotating hull section asabove-described it may become desirable to provide an internally toothedgear ring 45, of the type shown in FIG. 8, along the periphery of thehull plate 16 upper edge. A toothed gear wheel or wheels 46 aretherefore mounted to the under side of base plate 18 of the deck sectionwith each being rotatably driven by means of a power unit 47 through astandard gearing 48. Intermeshing between the teeth of wheels 46 andring 45 therefore effects rotation of the hull section 12 to any desiredextent depending on the rotation of wheels 46. After the hull section isso rotated, either clockwise or counterclockwise, the power unit 47 isde-energized to maintain the hull section in such a rotated position.Thereafter, either or both the propulsion devices 26 are actuated tosteer the barge 11 either front or aft in a manner similar to thatdescribed above.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that a practical and simple buthighly effective marine unit has been devised for steering a barge alonga waterway in a completely and easily controllable manner without theneed for extensive training and skill heretofore required. The hullsection of the steering unit is partly spherical in its hull design sothat, regardless of its degree of rotation, it meets with littleresistance as it moves through the water. The barge may be, therefore,more effectively and accurately controlled by actuation of thepropulsion devices as above described.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A marine unit capable of being mounted either forward or aft of abarge for steering purposes, comprising a hull having a horizontalbottom wall section and a side wall section of circular horizontalcross-section varying in diameter between the smallest diameter at saidbottom wall section to the largest at the top of said side wall section,a flat deck extending over the entirety of said hull, means mountingsaid hull to the underside of said deck for rotation of said hull aboutits central vertical axis relative to said deck, means on said deck forconnecting it to the barge thereby rendering it stationary relative tosaid hull, propulsion devices for movement of fluid therethrough betweenthe forward and aft ends thereof and being mounted within said hull forrotation therewith on opposite sides of said vertical axis, and meansfor actuating each of said propulsion devices independently of oneanother, whereby actuation of both said propulsion devices togetherserves to propel the unit and barge forwardly while actuation of one ofsaid propulsion devices serves to rotate said hull with respect to saiddeck for steering of the barge by said propulsion devices in aprescribed direction.

2. The unit according to claim 1 wherein said side wall section isdefined by a part spherical section.

3. The unit according to claim 1 being mountable to the barge by meansof spaced vertically disposed elongated connectors provided on said deckfore and aft thereof for accommodating various draft elevations of thebarge.

4. The unit according to claim 1 wherein each said propulsion devicecomprises a tubular fluid pump.

5. The unit according to claim 1 wherein said interconnecting meansincludes a ring member secured along the upper portion of said side wallsection, and a plurality of rotatable spool members mounted on said deckfor cooperation with said ring member.

6. The unit according to claim 5 wherein braking means are provided onsaid deck for cooperation with said ring member whereby said hull may bebraked after a predetermined degree of rotation during actuation of saidone propulsion device.

7. The unit according to claim 1 wherein a gear ring is secured alongthe upper portion of said side wall section and rotatable gear wheelsare provided on said deck in operable engagement with said gear ring forrotational movement of said hull about said central axis.

interior of said hull from said deck.

1. A marine unit capable of being mounted either forward or aft of abarge for steering purposes, comprising a hull having a horizontalbottom wall section and a side wall section of circular horizontalcross-section varying in diameter between the smallest diameter at saidbottom wall section to the largest at the top of said side wall section,a flat deck extending over the entirety of said hull, means mountingsaid hull to the underside of said deck for rotation of said hull aboutits central vertical axis relative to said deck, means on said deck forconnecting it to the barge thereby rendering it stationary relative tosaid hull, propulsioN devices for movement of fluid therethrough betweenthe forward and aft ends thereof and being mounted within said hull forrotation therewith on opposite sides of said vertical axis, and meansfor actuating each of said propulsion devices independently of oneanother, whereby actuation of both said propulsion devices togetherserves to propel the unit and barge forwardly while actuation of one ofsaid propulsion devices serves to rotate said hull with respect to saiddeck for steering of the barge by said propulsion devices in aprescribed direction.
 2. The unit according to claim 1 wherein said sidewall section is defined by a part spherical section.
 3. The unitaccording to claim 1 being mountable to the barge by means of spacedvertically disposed elongated connectors provided on said deck fore andaft thereof for accommodating various draft elevations of the barge. 4.The unit according to claim 1 wherein each said propulsion devicecomprises a tubular fluid pump.
 5. The unit according to claim 1 whereinsaid interconnecting means includes a ring member secured along theupper portion of said side wall section, and a plurality of rotatablespool members mounted on said deck for cooperation with said ringmember.
 6. The unit according to claim 5 wherein braking means areprovided on said deck for cooperation with said ring member whereby saidhull may be braked after a predetermined degree of rotation duringactuation of said one propulsion device.
 7. The unit according to claim1 wherein a gear ring is secured along the upper portion of said sidewall section and rotatable gear wheels are provided on said deck inoperable engagement with said gear ring for rotational movement of saidhull about said central axis.
 8. The unit according to claim 1 furthercomprising a stairwell unit mounted on said deck along said verticalaxis and extending toward said hull to rest on said bottom wall sectionthereof for gaining access to the interior of said hull from said deck.